He taught for hours, dictating each and every movement, how much and what kind of feeling to emanate through each one. His expertise and talent were not hidden during his lessons, but his level of fame and success was not an expression he demonstrated from the front of the mirror-filled room.
Brian Fucanan, 24, has become a dancing icon after his breakout performances as a member of SoReal Cru on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew (ABDC). To the packed room of eager fans, though, he was more than that – he represented the American dream for hundreds of Filipino-Americans who attended the Midwest Association of Filipino Americans last weekend.
“I really wanted to come up here and figure out what [MAFA] was all about. I honestly had no idea that this existed, but I wanted to come up and help out,” Fucanan said.
The professional dancer resides and attends college in Houston, Texas, and recently MC-ed his state’s version of MAFA last month. He spoke highly of the GoodPhil Games annual event that brings literally thousands of Filipino-American students from across the state together in friendly competition that helps bond the community in culture.
Fucanan said traveling to MAFA and teaching his original choreography for two workshops was something he’d love to do again. He said he hops around the country every weekend to lead lessons and, although it’s his job, he hasn’t lost his passion for dance.
“I recently became really active in the whole Filipino culture scene, so coming to events like GoodPhil and MAFA are great ways to bring everyone together,” Fucanan said. “Plus, it’s fun to hang out with everyone. Conferences like these are more like social events for me, even though I’m working.”
Rumor has it that Fucanan and his brother, also a professional dancer in their current crew The ArchiTEKs, will co-MC MAFA next year.
Barbara Maningat 